Two years ago, DreamWorks released their hit animated film, Kung Fu Panda.  Today, they launched Kung Fu Panda World, a browser-based online destination for kids ages 8-12.  Yes…my son is too young…but it’s cool enough to tell you about in case you have kids within the target age range.  Here is a short description:

KFPW is the coolest site for kids, letting them unlock their true power by engaging in a variety of activities: play games, chat with friends, trade goods, master Kung Fu styles, get a pet or explore the great big world. Kids choose everything they want to do – it’s their world and there’s truly nothing else like it.

My children are growing up in a different time…a time where even children as young as one can “play” on the computer.  While I definitely don’t think children should spend a lot of time on computers, especially when they’re young and should be out running and jumping, I think there is a place for educational, interactive games.

The appeal to children is their familiarity with the movie’s locations and characters. Games include arcade-style Chi-games which increase in sophistication and difficulty as kids play, treasure hunts, and other activities.  Kids can earn points to achieve higher “sash” levels, unlock exclusive Chi-games and new areas.

The game is highly customizable, offering a unique experience every time.  We started by answering 6 questions to determine our “panda” style and proceeded to dress and name our “monkey.”  Since my son is too young, we did this together to get a feel for the game.

The “worlds” are very similar to what you may remember from the movie and the high tech graphics add dimension and depth to the experience.

As a parent, I appreciate the fact that there is nothing to download (my computer is crowded enough already).  I also find it important to note that DreamWorks Animation employs the following stringent safety mechanisms:
1.    No personal information solicited or shared
2.    Chat filtering and monitoring
3.    Behavior filtering and monitoring
4.    Local customer service team – U.S. based staff offering 24/7 coverage
5.    The Parent Panel – Offering a unique and easy-to-use set of controls that allow parents to oversee and manage their child’s account by enabling or disabling features in KFPW. Accessible to parents through an individual password, it allows parents to view their child’s progress in the world and play an interactive role in a child’s online experience.

Children can play for free for one day if they watch a 15 second ad or pay $5.95/month (with more advanced settings). Just know that with the launch, you may find it busy or even ful. To get started, just visit their site.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  I attended their media preview day.